Madeline Daly sentenced on Capital Murder Charge
Silver City, NM –District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced that on September 28, 2026, 36-year-old Madeline Veronique Daly was sentenced to life imprisonment in the New Mexico Department of Corrections, the maximum penalty in New Mexico for First-Degree Murder. The charge stems from the shooting death of her 11-month-old son.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph Silva represented the State during the hearing. Presiding Judge Tom F. Stewart addressed the Defendant stating that a parole board may consider her release in 30 years.
Grant County Sheriff's officials reported that Daly brought her 11-month-old son into New Mexico from Wyoming, violating a court order that had granted emergency custody to the child's father. On December 23, 2025, deputies responded to a rural property along Highway 15 following a tip that Daly had been located and had an outstanding warrant from Wyoming for kidnapping charges.
Sheriff's Deputies located Daly and her child in a motorized RV located on the property. Deputies surrounded the RV, while working to obtain a search warrant; a gunshot was heard. Deputies rushed into the RV and discovered Daly had fatally shot her son with a 9mm handgun. After a brief struggle, Daly was taken into custody, and deputies attempted to save the child by rushing him to an awaiting ambulance.
New Mexico State Police crime scene investigators and Grant County Sheriff's officers secured the area. The entire incident was assisted by the Hurley Police Department, Forest Service law enforcement officers, Native Air, Emergency Medical Services, FBI and Investigators from the Sixth Judicial District Attorney's office.
"Today Judge Stewart handed down the legally mandated sentence in this matter imposing a life sentence upon the defendant. On behalf of the Sixth Judicial District Attorney's Office, I extend our deepest condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time. This tragic situation has left a profound impact on the family, our community, and the law enforcement and first responder personnel involved. Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone who was affected by this tragedy."- District Attorney Norman Wheeler
